Openings Other answers to 1.d4
Englund Gambit: the Trap, the Refutation and Stats by Rating
1...e5 throws a pawn at White’s center on move one. Objectively it is not good, but it sets one famous trap that has caught thousands of online players.
A40Englund Gambit
Games from this position (1600–1999): 100k
- 1.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65% | 65k | ||
| 11% | 11k | ||
| 6% | 6,398 | ||
| 5% | 5,308 | ||
| 4% | 4,375 | ||
| 3% | 3,035 | ||
| 2% | 1,684 | ||
| 1% | 1,497 | ||
| 0.8% | 843 |
Plans for both sides
White
- Take with 2.dxe5 and develop calmly: Nf3, Bf4 or Bd2, e3, Nc3.
- Against ...Qe7 and ...Qb4+, block with Bd2 and answer ...Qxb2 with Nc3.
- Give the pawn back if needed; a lead in development is enough.
Black
- The point is quick development: ...Nc6, ...Qe7 and pressure on e5 and b2.
- You usually win the pawn back with ...Nxe5 or ...Qxe5.
- Against a well-prepared opponent, expect a slightly worse but playable game.
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Englund Gambit at each rating
How often the position after 1.d4 e5 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 57k1.9% | 2.dxe557% | |
| 1200–1599 | 115k1.9% | 2.dxe563% | |
| 1600–1999 | 100k1.6% | 2.dxe565% | |
| 2000+ | 14k0.7% | 2.dxe570% | |
| All | 286k1.6% | 2.dxe563% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
The safe answer to the b2 grab: White develops with tempo and Black’s queen is exposed.
8,134 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 52%, 3% were drawn, Black won 44%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.Bf4 Qb4+ 5.Bd2 Qxb2 6.Nc3White holds e5 directly. Black answers ...f6 and plays for quick development.
2,995 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 50%, 5% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.Qd5Black offers a second pawn for open lines. Taking with exd6 is fine for White.
52k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 4% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 d6
Common traps
The Englund trap
After 5...Qxb2 the natural 6.Bc3?? loses: 6...Bb4! 7.Qd2 Bxc3 8.Qxc3 Qc1 is mate. White should play 6.Nc3 and keep the rook on a1 protected.
In our data, the last move of this line was played in 301 games.
Show on the board: 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.Bf4 Qb4+ 5.Bd2 Qxb2 6.Bc3 Bb4 7.Qd2 Bxc3 8.Qxc3 Qc1#(ends in mate)Advertisement
At club level
Between 1200 and 1999 the Englund scores a little better for Black than the average answer to 1.d4; at 2000+ it scores worse. Check the table above for your rating.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- Horwitz Defense
1.d4 e6
- Dutch Defense
1.d4 f5
- Mikenas Defense (1...Nc6)
1.d4 Nc6